Stealth Release Patterson, Sign Roik

The Washington Stealth have signed NLL veteran and former Stealth goaltender Matt Roik to a one-year agreement pending league approval.

To make room for Roik, Washington has released goalkeeper Nick Patterson.

In his 12th NLL season, the 34-year-old Dunnville, Ontario native is a two-time NLL All-Star and has a career 12.32 Goals Against Average.

In seven games with the Colorado Mammoth this season Roik compiled a 2-2 record. Since breaking into the league in 2002 with the former New Jersey Storm he is 47-51.

“We’re always trying to better our position as we make a drive to the playoffs,” said Stealth Coach Chris Hall who platooned Roik with Tyler Richards during the 2010 and 2011 seasons where Washington made back-to-back appearances in the NLL championship game.

“When Colorado released Matt it piqued our interest,” said Hall who plans to play Roik in a backup roll to the club’s number-one goaltender Richards.

“We won a championship with the T-Rich, Roik combination. We needed to jump on this opportunity. It made good sense to get him back here,” Hall said. “From a comfort factor he’s ready to jump in and play if we need him.”